ISEQ down over 100

The ISEQ suffered a new-year hangover today, closing down 111.7 at 9426.07 as most of the top companies saw share prices fall.

Irish Continental closed down 30c (2%) at €14.70.

Ryanair slipped 15c (1.4%) to €10.50, following reports that it is to mount a legal challenge against the French government.

Allied Irish Bank finished the day down 45c (1.9%) at €23.05. Anglo Irish Bank fell 17c (1.1%) to €15.53.

Bank of Ireland was down 18c (1%) at €17.34.

Irish Life and Permanent closed down 5c at €21.05. The bank today released a personal finance briefing, saying, among other things, that two thirds of SSIA-holders intend to keep saving when their accounts mature.

CRH was the day’s busiest share, and closed down 51c (1.6%) at €31.04, despite saying today that it expects a record 24% rise in pre-tax profits for 2006.

Grafton fell 20c (1.6%) to €12.50.

C&C was down 20c (1.4%) at €13.70 at the end of the day. However, there was better news for Kerry, which closed up 25c (1.3%) at €19.00.

Business services company DCC slipped 36c (1.3%) to €26.43.